Seven Ways To Get Ready For A New Dog

Written By
Alla Levin

March 05, 2018

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Seven Ways To Get Ready For A New Dog

Simply put, getting a new dog is exciting! A dog is the kind of pet that the whole family can enjoy. Taking them for walks is great to keep everyone fit and healthy and to learn how to care for them is perfect for teaching everyone about responsibility.

Whether you’re buying a puppy or adopting an adult dog (or even an elderly dog), there are some things that you will need to do to get your home as safe, secure, and ready for your new pet as possible. Take a look at our checklist to make sure you’re completely prepared for your new arrival.

Give Everyone Jobs

Everyone in the household is going to need to help out with your new dog. That includes the youngest and the oldest – as well as everyone in between! Depending on their age, each child will have specific tasks and responsibilities when it comes to your dog.

These include feeding, changing his or her water, taking them for walks, playing with them, clearing up after them in the yard, and even bathing them when necessary. Talk these jobs through and allocate them according to age and ability.

Check that everyone is happy with this before you go out and collect your dog. Otherwise, you might have issues when you return home.

Buy What You Need

Much like a new baby, a new dog is going to need some items to be installed in the home before they will be able to live there safely and happily. One of the things you will need to do before you arrive home with your dog or puppy is to ensure these items are already in place.

This is a fun thing to do, and the whole family can be involved in choosing the items they think their new pet will like. Go to your local pet store and look for food and water bowls, a leash and collar, toys, a comfortable bed, and some treats to help them settle in.

Make sure you ask the shelter or talk to the breeder who you are purchasing your dog from about the food they have been eating. Changing diet could potentially cause a digestive issue.

Sign Up With A Veterinarian

Take some time to check out the local veterinarians. It’s good to sign up with someone as soon as you can, just in case your new dog has any health concerns. Puppies will need vaccinations too, so this is another crucial reason to find a good vet whom you trust and are happy with.

Look at reviews and speak to other pet owners in your neighborhood for recommendations. You need to be comfortable with the veterinarian yourself, as will your dog.

Take the opportunity to note down the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital, and keep their number somewhere safe. Sometimes dogs get sick during the night, and you might not want to wait until morning.

Dog Proof Your House And Yard

Look all around your home for things that could potentially harm your new dog. Cleaning chemicals are a significant source of poisoning for pets, so make sure you keep them somewhere the dog won’t be able to reach them.

The same thing is true for any medication, as well as a lot of human food – dogs can’t digest many of the things that people can eat, and if they do try to eat them they can become very sick; chocolate is a prime example of this. So hide everything away that you don’t want your dog to come into contact with.

As well as this, take a look at the areas your dog might chew, and see if you can cover them – chair legs and couch arms are always popular with dogs. Finally, check your yard. Is it safe for your dog? You will need proper fencing all the way around so that he or she can’t escape, and to ensure this is done correctly; it’s best to call a fencing specialist. You will also need to check for any sharp objects, yard tools, or nails that might be lurking in the lawn.

Let Them Adjust

The best time to bring your dog home is at the start of the weekend, or when the whole family can be there, and the dog won’t have to be left alone for any period. They are going to need at least a few days to get used to their new home, and they might be extremely nervous, to begin with, so this is why it’s good to have all of their new things ready for them before they get there.

When you transport the dog, it’s best to secure them in a crate, or with a particular dog seatbelt. Finally, when they do get into the house, let them explore – they will need to sniff around to work out what’s where and where they are.

Toilet Training

Something that you really don’t want to wait too long to do once you get your dog home is to show them where their toilet is. As soon as you can, take your dog out to where his or her bathroom is going to be – they are sure to want to go, so it’s best to start as you mean to go on.

Doing this immediately will teach them where their bathroom is right from the start, which is a good idea! Positive reinforcement will need to come into play too to ensure that they remember this new lesson. Make sure you praise your dog when they pee in the right place!

Give Them Space

It’s a bad idea to overcrowd your new dog when you get them home, no matter how tempting it might be to hold them tight. You don’t want to ignore them, but they do need to have space to explore and get to know their new surroundings.

Be gentle, be calm, and be loving. There will be lots of time to play once he or she settles in, so let the first few days be less busy ones.

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About Author

Alla Levin

Editor-in-Сhief

Hi, I’m Alla, a life-loving, entrepreneurial spirit who can’t get enough of business innovations, arts, not ordinary people and adventures. Here at IV, my mission is to help you grow in your creativity, travel the world, and live life to the absolute fullest!

Internet Vibes – a blog dedicated to inspiring creative and multi-talented people with entrepreneurial spirit and love for exploration. Travel, arts, business, lifestyle, and survival hacks to empower every mind to chase goals and live a bright and unique life.

Internet Vibes – a blog dedicated to inspiring creative and multi-talented people with entrepreneurial spirit and love for exploration. Travel, arts, business, lifestyle, and survival hacks to empower every mind to chase goals and live a bright and unique life.

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